TimEllis

I had another look yesterday and checked all the things I did carefully to check what I had done and why I couldn't get the original set up to work. I am not going to replace it back but I did think its would be good to try and see where I failed. I am definitely of the conclusion that the original regulator box failed the first time around and I definitely think I needed to clean and set up the new regulator box. The cleaning side of things is a little strange and I definitely didn't have the time to get that done and use the car. Once I got the alternator fitted and everything wired up correctly I drove the car  home. 240 miles and the car runs better than before and less noise up front. I can only assume that yes my dynamo was near the end of its life as was the regulator box. It doesn't look original under the bonnet now but then I have fitted a larger radiator because my header tank failed and I guess the electrics are now better than before.  Thanks again for all the help Tim

Yes true, I am really pleased with it and I hope it doesn't cause any problems in the future. It certainly sounds good and maybe I am just relieved but the whole car sounds more capable and strong.  That is very interesting to know and more than likely I guess. I'll check it out and pass on any feedback I had. What I did find strange was the inside looked absolutely sparkling and I couldn't seen anything wrong. I definitely think the supplier selling these things should suggest they need cleaning and setting up, it would certainly help identify problems and narrow issues down but then I guess I should expect to have to do these things and stuff off the shelf always needs adjusting. I must admit I don't think I'd be capable of getting this right anyway and think in hindsight I should have done the mod a while ago but then its been like that since new and only failed once in the 20 years I've owned it. Thanks again. Tim  

Thank you but I must say I am sure an expert would have had the thing fixed in an hour not 24hrs like me! So after more head scratching I bought a second regulator box, fitted it and the same problem. I took it back and exchanged it for an alternator conversion and after more swearing and the modification of some brackets etc I have it fitted. I wired everything up and it started up, the ignition light went out and the bearing noise had gone. I can only think as everyone has suggested that the regulator box was faulty as was the second and my original had just failed. Plus the dynamo had failed and the second may well have been fine but I guess we will never know. I suppose the regulator is one of those things you should carry as a spare but I guess there is no guarantee it works. I've boxed up the spare dynamo and brackets and may one day revert back if I return the car to original condition. My Vitesse is from 1962 and a very early one, covering only 48,000 miles from new. I have always been reluctant to change things and alter the car but in the last two years I've changed the radiator for the larger type, dispensing with the header tank as I couldn't find a water tight replacement and now I've fitted an alternator. I suppose it will be more reliable but it is just a shame that these two things have happened despite it being so reliable. I've only ever broken down once and fixed it in 2 minutes by the side of the road.  Thanks again everyone for the advice and help. I'm very much looking forward to driving it and getting down to a few shows. Tim

I've done it as it says in the manual, and nothing. I've also repolarised the dynamo and tested it again.  The car runs but the ignition light still is bright. I also rechecked all the wiring and everything is fine so unless I have a faulty regulator box again, I'm stumped.  I am going to leave it for a bit and have a break, I may well call the garage locally and take it in. I think it doesn't help when you are not confident with your abilities and really should give it to an expert.  

So the ignition light is on bright, I've taken another reading from the back of the dynamo and it is no existent  so I guess it is junk. It was brand new old stock and I tested it and it seemed right so I am mystified why I have such a low reading if any. I can only think I might have buggered it up along the way and been distracted by so many people passing by and stopping and then asking if you can still get tyres for it! patience levels -25 so it is tea time and I think I'll have to have a rethink.

Yes I have the light goes out when it is pulled out of the regulator.  I'd like to drive it but I need to do 200 miles to home and I don't want to damage anything. The car is at a relatives, thankfully I have my manual with me but not all my tools. The relief when it is fixed will be something but it does no confidence for my partner who thinks I should just sell the car, she won't even get in it now. T  

Thank you but I have now tried everything and just can't see a way forward. I've checked all the connections, I have a new dynamo correctly polarised, cleaned all connections, replaced the regulator which is set up correctly and checked everything with a volt meter. There is 14 or so volts coming from the dynamo the battery is fully charged. But still the ignition light won't come off, I just don't know what to try, I really need to use the car but I think I'll have to give up and get a train. Very frustrating. Tim

One last question before I give up. Would the age of the battery have anything to do with it?  Many thanks,  Tim

So I got up super early checked everything, and I now can only think the regulator box needs adjusting but I don't have the right tool to do this so I am not sure how to proceed. I have checked and replaced most things and I can only think this might be the case. Is there anything else I can do just to make sure I haven't missed anything obvious?  I've also checked the voltage regulator box and it is sealed up so I assume it was set up at the factory, would this need to be altered or adjusted regularly? Cheers, Tim

So I took the car out for a quick run and the ignition light wouldn't go out. It stayed on throughout the journey so I'll have to look into why this is. If anyone suggests any other way I thought I'd 1.) check all the earths including the engine earth strap, maybe run a jump lead from the engine onto the chassis just to double check 2.) check all the connectors, 3.) swop the dynamo over and see if that works.  I always thought classic motoring was meant to be fun!  

I checked the item over and can see it is the same model as the previous one. Also the adjustments also seem to be set at the same positions so I guess they are all standard.  I've given the car a run, tested all the lights etc and everything seems fine so I'll take it out for a longer distance run and report back. I'll upgrade things in the winter and have a look at appropriate mods. I've run the car now for 15 years and covered over 20,000 miles with it in this condition so I guess it must be ok but may benefit from improvements.  Thanks, Tim  

I took it that the regulator was fine straight out of the box, do you think I need to check it?  Cheers, Tim

Thanks everyone for the help and advice, I have been able to narrow down the problem with all your help and I've basically bought a new regulator box. Thankfully James Paddock is near by to where I am staying so I dropped in and replaced my old unit. On closer inspection some of the points had fused together which I hadn't realised happened and so a new one was the best course of action. I dropped it in place and wired everything up and basically nothing happened.... brilliant just what I wanted and such a relief not to see the dynamo spinning around, so I could crack on with the other bits. The original pulley? made of plastic with vents was totally destroyed and quite dangerous as it splintered up the drive. I have thankfully got a new/old/rusted one which was £4 from James Paddock, this time all metal and with a fan section that fitted neatly, not sure if is the original type but it fits perfectly with the right clearance and will do the job in the short time. the fan section needed beating out, straighteing and rubbed down but it looks the part now. I also re-polorised the old dynamo, gave it a good clean and checked everything over. I did also check this before I replaced the regulator box and it kept spinning around so I assume it is actually fine. The noise had passed also so I leave it in for now and see what happens tomorrow. I can only guess that the original pulley had something to do with the noise and the old fan belt, which I have now replaced, bit of a long drawn out process but we will see.  So I still have a good dynamo spare incase, all the bits to replace it easily and I've learnt a few things. I still need to track down a rhythmic thudding tapping, coming from the front, it isn't loud and I wonder if it was always there and I've just got use to modern cars? I don't like leaving things like this so I'll have a look around again. Thanks again and look forward to being part of the club. Cheers, Tim

Hi Rob, Yes I am absolutely sure, it was new old stock and came with all the part numbers etc. I put the old dynamo back on the car to double check I wasn't loosing my mind and it also started running continuously, annoyingly with no sound so I now have a car with other strange noises from somewhere. I have cleaned the contacts in the regulator box and made sure they move up and down. Should they be always in contact with the metal or a space between.  I'll have a tea and see what happens next, I have got to that stage where I'll either cry or throw something at it. I should add I've owned the car for 20 years and it has laid up for 5 years through my own health problems. The garage was dry but a few things have started to fail so I guess I should really have kept it moving and tried to have used it.  Thanks again. Tim

Many thanks for the reply, I've just got some photographs of the regulator box but i can't upload them. Perhaps if I describe it. There is no rust, the metal tabs on the top move and they are in contact with the metal circular sections. Has it had it? would I be best to buy a new one? Very best, Tim